In 1996, Wisconsin changed its criminal code and began treating all 17-year-olds charged with crime like adults. The Second Chance Bill would have returned nonviolent 17-year-old first-time offenders to juvenile court; violent and second-time delinquents would still be processed in the adult system.

Isthmus staff writer Joe Tarr reported on how the Second Chance Bill failed in the Wisconsin Legislature despite bipartisan support in the March 28 issue, and discussed his story with WORT producer Dylan Brogan on the March 27 edition of In Our Backyard.